Switch throwing and locking device



192 Jan 11, I 7 J BRUCE SWITCH THROWING ANb LOCKING DEVICE Filed April 13, 92s

ga a maniac trating the manner in which a target located Patented Jan. 11,1927.

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JAMES BRUCE, OF OKLAHOMAv CITY, OKLAHOMA.

SWITCH THROWING- AND LOCKING DEVICE.

Application filed April 13,1926. SeriaLNo. 101,744.

This invention relates to a novel switch point throwing and locking device, and? has for one of its objects. the provision of a device of this character which shall be adaptedtoexert an equal and positive pressure at relatively" spaced points on theswitch point in main rail contacting position so as to prevent the possibility of a wheel flange passing between: such switch po ntand the main. rail and the consequent wrecking of the train when the switch is closed.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a switch point throwing and.

locking device which shall be simple, strong and durable and which can be readily applied to any and all switches without making any changes or alterations therein.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, the invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view illustrating the application of a switch point throwing and locking device constructed in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view taken on the vertical plane indicated by the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a similar view taken on the vertical plane indicated by the line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is an elevational view illusa distance from the switch throwing means may be operated by said means, and

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 55 of Figure4.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and designated in the several views of the accompanying drawing, by similar reference characters.

In the drawing, 1 designates the rails of a main track, 2 the rails and 3 the points of a switch, and 4 a switch tie.

In accordance with my invention, the

switch points 3 are connected by two bridle or tie rods 5 which are arranged in parallel relation at opposite sides of the tie 4. The rods 5 are secured to the bases of the switch points 3, and are located below and extend in opposite directions beyond the mam rails .to the eccentrics 8 by straps 9. The rods 5 are of sectional formation, and the sections thereof are connected by turn buckles 10 so as to permit the effective length of the rods to be varied. A lever 11 is connected to the'shaft 7 to permit the device to be operated to effect the opening or closing of the switch. The leverll is engaged by a latch 12 when the switch is closed and by a latch 13 -when the switch is opened. The latches 12 and 13 function to hold the switch in the position into which it has been moved, and they may be provided with locks to prevent tampering with the switch. A target 14 to indicate the position of the switch, of which the shaft 14 is journaled 1n the case 6, is operated. from the shaft 7 by means of the gears 15.

If desired, the target may be mounted upon the tie 4 at a distance from the case 6, and when this is done the shaft 14 of the target will be operated from one of the eccentrics 8 by means of a link 16 connected as at 17 to the eccentric and an arm 18 extending laterally from the target shaft and connected to the link.

As one of the rods 5 is connected to the switch points 3 adjacent the free ends of the latter and the other at points removed from their free ends, and as the rods are connected to the shaft 7 by eccentrics which exert a similar pressure on each rod, the greater length of one or the ot-her'of the switch points will be held positively in contact with its companion main rail, and due thereto there is no possibility of a wheel flange passing between a main rail and the switch point in contact therewith and there is also no possibility of timbers or other obstacles, which usually cause wrecks, lodging between either of the main rails and switch point in contact therewith. The turn buckles 1O permit any play that may occur in the various parts of the device to be taken up.

It should be understood that the drawing is merely illustrative and does not pretend to give exact proportions. Furthermore, the said drawing is illustrative of a preferred construction, it being my eXpectation that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What is claimed is l. A switch point throwing device including parallel rods secured to the switch points, a shaft, eccentrics secured to the shaft, straps passing about the eccentrics and secured to the rods, and operating means.

2,. A switch point throwing device comprising parallel rods connected to the switch points, said rods being of sectional formation, means adjustably connecting the sections of the rods, a shaft, eccentrics secured to the shaft, straps passing about the eccentrics and secured to the rods, and a lever secured to the shaft,

3. A device of the character set forth comprising, in combination with switch points, rods secured to the switch points, a shaft, eccentrics secured to the shaft, straps passing about the eccentrics and connected to the rods, a target shaft provided with an arm, a link connected to one of the eccentrics and the arm, and operating means.

a. A device of the character set forth comprising, in combination with switch points, rods secured to the switch points, throwing means for the switch points embodying eccentrics and straps passing about the eccentrics and secured to the rods, a tarshaft, and means establishing an operative connection between the target shaft and the switch point throwing means.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JAMES BRUCE. 

